Comparative dimensions of active citizenship: an analysis of indicators of inclusivity and exclusivity in civil society. Active citizenship is a key concept in debates around the nature of civil society and the changing forms of citizenship. To date, grounded studies of the concept have been few. The project's significance lies in its focus on developing indicators of active citizenship. This enables the empirical charting of active citizenship. The comparative aspect to the project will heighte ....Comparative dimensions of active citizenship: an analysis of indicators of inclusivity and exclusivity in civil society. Active citizenship is a key concept in debates around the nature of civil society and the changing forms of citizenship. To date, grounded studies of the concept have been few. The project's significance lies in its focus on developing indicators of active citizenship. This enables the empirical charting of active citizenship. The comparative aspect to the project will heighten our ability to understand these processes in Australia in relation to other countries.
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Constructing regionally appropriate anti-racism strategies for Australia. Racism is an international social scourge, and Australia is not immune from its injurious effects. The experience of racism degrades senses of belonging and generates disaffection, leads to ill-health and restrictions of mobility, as well as other social and individual pathologies. Reducing racism will strengthen Australia's social fabric. This project tests the utility of anti-racism templates and does so in rural as well ....Constructing regionally appropriate anti-racism strategies for Australia. Racism is an international social scourge, and Australia is not immune from its injurious effects. The experience of racism degrades senses of belonging and generates disaffection, leads to ill-health and restrictions of mobility, as well as other social and individual pathologies. Reducing racism will strengthen Australia's social fabric. This project tests the utility of anti-racism templates and does so in rural as well as urban Australia. The templates will be usable by local authorities and NGOs in framing their anti-racism efforts.Read moreRead less
Measuring and mapping the experience of racism in Australia. This is the first empirical assessment of the circumstances and frequency of the experience of racism in Australia. A telephone survey, 12000 respondents, and fieldwork in ten localities, are the major method. Spatial and social variations in the experience of racism will be analysed. Social construction theory will be tested as an explanation of such variations. Regional anti-racism packages will be developed and tested in the field. ....Measuring and mapping the experience of racism in Australia. This is the first empirical assessment of the circumstances and frequency of the experience of racism in Australia. A telephone survey, 12000 respondents, and fieldwork in ten localities, are the major method. Spatial and social variations in the experience of racism will be analysed. Social construction theory will be tested as an explanation of such variations. Regional anti-racism packages will be developed and tested in the field. Decision-support tools for local authorities and communities to combat racism will be provided. A unique racism database will underpin a scholarly monograph, doctoral dissertation and a series of refereed articles.Read moreRead less
Comparing racism in Australian and Canada. Surveys of racist attitudes in Australia and Canada present a unique opportunity for comparative analysis. This project will demonstrate the central influence of place and context to attitudes to and experiences of racism. International comparative assessments of racism are rare. Comparable key concepts will be agreed, e.g.: attitudes towards cultural diversity and national identity; extent and experience of racism; multicultural policies. Overall findi ....Comparing racism in Australian and Canada. Surveys of racist attitudes in Australia and Canada present a unique opportunity for comparative analysis. This project will demonstrate the central influence of place and context to attitudes to and experiences of racism. International comparative assessments of racism are rare. Comparable key concepts will be agreed, e.g.: attitudes towards cultural diversity and national identity; extent and experience of racism; multicultural policies. Overall findings and spatial variations will be compared, aiming at publication in international journals. It will strengthen a significant relationship between geographers in Sydney and Vancouver. International recognition of the Sydney-based research cluster on racism will be enhanced.Read moreRead less
Australian youth: exploring ethnicity in cyberspace. Australia's youth are moving towards adulthood in a society that is both ethnically diverse and increasingly reliant on information technologies. This project will investigate how these characteristics of our society are intersecting for young people, as they use computer-mediated communication to seek information relevant to their ethnic backgrounds and interact with others from their ethnic groups. The central aim of the project is to establ ....Australian youth: exploring ethnicity in cyberspace. Australia's youth are moving towards adulthood in a society that is both ethnically diverse and increasingly reliant on information technologies. This project will investigate how these characteristics of our society are intersecting for young people, as they use computer-mediated communication to seek information relevant to their ethnic backgrounds and interact with others from their ethnic groups. The central aim of the project is to establish how this activity is impacting on the process of ethnic identity construction and young Australians' sense of 'community'. The research findings will also provide a broader understanding of young people's use of information technologies.Read moreRead less
Understanding police and ethnic group interactions: Testing an integrated theoretical model. This project uses social science research methods to examine perceptions of the roles and authority of the police among ethnic groups in Australia. Outcomes will have implications for police community cooperation and cooperation with social institutions more generally (e.g. government authorities). The research addresses issues that impact on the provision of information to the police and the willingness ....Understanding police and ethnic group interactions: Testing an integrated theoretical model. This project uses social science research methods to examine perceptions of the roles and authority of the police among ethnic groups in Australia. Outcomes will have implications for police community cooperation and cooperation with social institutions more generally (e.g. government authorities). The research addresses issues that impact on the provision of information to the police and the willingness of groups in Australia to participate in collaborative crime control. National and community benefits include ascertaining how greater levels of cooperation with the police can be promoted among ethnic groups who feel ill-served and marginalised by the criminal justice system. Read moreRead less
Migration, Ethnicity and Workforce Segmentation in the Asia-Pacific. Globalisation has produced new polarised patterns in working populations, including ethnically segmented labour. The related dynamics of work, ethnicity and labour segmentation have very significant long-term consequences. Systematic studies are available for advanced economies, but are far less developed for newly industrialised countries. This program investigates these changes in major Asia-Pacific urban-industrial centres. ....Migration, Ethnicity and Workforce Segmentation in the Asia-Pacific. Globalisation has produced new polarised patterns in working populations, including ethnically segmented labour. The related dynamics of work, ethnicity and labour segmentation have very significant long-term consequences. Systematic studies are available for advanced economies, but are far less developed for newly industrialised countries. This program investigates these changes in major Asia-Pacific urban-industrial centres. Innovative analyses from large-scale datasets and from strategic localised case studies will meet this shortfall in knowledge. They will also connect with more extensive ongoing studies of social transformations. Research outcomes and theoretical re-assessments will be presented in two workshops, and published in refereed journals and a book.Read moreRead less
In the shadow of Singapore: The limits of transnationalism in Insular Riau. This project will contribute to the process of safeguarding Australia, through a better understanding of our nearest neighbours. An enhanced understanding of nationalism and regionalism in Southeast Asia is central to the maintenance of effective bilateral and multilateral relations between Australia and its near neighbours. Cross-border tension between our ASEAN neighbours is potentially a problem for Australia, and thu ....In the shadow of Singapore: The limits of transnationalism in Insular Riau. This project will contribute to the process of safeguarding Australia, through a better understanding of our nearest neighbours. An enhanced understanding of nationalism and regionalism in Southeast Asia is central to the maintenance of effective bilateral and multilateral relations between Australia and its near neighbours. Cross-border tension between our ASEAN neighbours is potentially a problem for Australia, and thus of political and economic concern to all Australians.Read moreRead less
Jean Martin and the Social Sciences in Australia. Jean Martin was a major founder of the social sciences in Australia, a pioneer in institution building and cultural traffic. She built institutions and networks by working Sociology and Anthropology together, combining intellectual cultures from Australia, America, Germany and Britain. A collectively authored book will establish the nature of Martin's contribution to social science and society, and uncover the nature of intellectual innovation, ....Jean Martin and the Social Sciences in Australia. Jean Martin was a major founder of the social sciences in Australia, a pioneer in institution building and cultural traffic. She built institutions and networks by working Sociology and Anthropology together, combining intellectual cultures from Australia, America, Germany and Britain. A collectively authored book will establish the nature of Martin's contribution to social science and society, and uncover the nature of intellectual innovation, networking and institution-building in social sciences in Australia and beyond. This project develops new perspectives on the culture of the social sciences, Australian nation-building and civil society in the twentieth century.Read moreRead less
Local Governance, Multiculturalism and Active Citizenship: The Case of Arab-Muslim Diaspora in the West. This project will advance our understanding of the best practice approaches towards the management of intercultural relationships within multicultural communities. It will generate international benchmark data on the management of multicultural spaces and will lead to a range of practical policies for local city councils, NGOs and state governments. The findings will form a robust empirical b ....Local Governance, Multiculturalism and Active Citizenship: The Case of Arab-Muslim Diaspora in the West. This project will advance our understanding of the best practice approaches towards the management of intercultural relationships within multicultural communities. It will generate international benchmark data on the management of multicultural spaces and will lead to a range of practical policies for local city councils, NGOs and state governments. The findings will form a robust empirical basis for understanding the optimal way of formulating government-NGOs partnerships in the successful implementation of culturally responsive policies. The study will also result in the development of effective policy responses aimed at enhancing active citizenship, social cohesion and intercultural understanding.Read moreRead less